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An optimistic West Indies coach Roger Harper is in Jamaica confident of a 2-1 series victory over India.

But he warns that Carl Hooper's regional cricketers must perform to "the best of their ability" to defeat India in the decisive fifth and final Cable & Wireless Test which starts at Sabina Park tomorrow.

"I think if we play as well as we are capable of playing, we'll win," Harper said confidently. The series is locked 1-1 after India's 37-run victory in Trinidad was followed by a ten-wicket West Indies' triumph in Barbados.

Prior to leaving for Kingston 24 hours ago, the former Guyana captain and West Indies' off-spinner told reporters he was generally satisfied with the performance of the West Indian cricketers in the first four Tests.

"The areas we were concerned about seem to be coming around. The openers got a bit of a start (and) we'll like them to build on that and performed even a little better.

"We hope the middle can keep playing as well as it has been playing so far in the series and the lower order, with (Ridley) Jacobs coming and getting a hundred. We'll like him to continue that form and build on it in Jamaica," Harper added.

He has not lost faith with the fast-bowling quartet of Mervyn Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Pedro Collins and Adam Sanford, even though India were able to amass their highest total of the series, 513 for nine declared in the high-scoring drawn fourth Test in Antigua.

"I think so far the fast bowlers have bowled pretty well. We had a bit of a tough surface here on which we asked them to operate on. They stuck to the task manfully and hopefully, we'll get a little bit more assistance in Jamaica. I'm confident they will deliver the goods once again."

The last time the West Indies played in Jamaica, they defeated South Africa last year in Courtney Walsh's farewell, and Harper is confident the spectators will come out again in their numbers and give the Windies that much needed home support.

"The extra support you get at home is always a factor. In Jamaica, we have always been well supported and we expect with the series locked at one-all and so much at stake, we'll be very well supported there," Harper said.

He also said it would be beneficial for young West Indian bowlers if the same type of ball, which was now used in Test cricket, was also used in the regional Busta Cup Series and Red Stripe Bowl competitions.

"During this series we are using the Kookaburra ball which is the ball preferred by most Test-playing nations these days. It is an idea which has come about because we are trying to get our players used to playing with these balls so that when we go abroad, it is nothing new to us.

"But at the same time, I think we have to go one step further and start using these balls at our first-class levels so that players coming into the West Indies team as new players, will be used to playing with them."

© Barbados Nation